The opening of the new ALDI discount grocery store in Washington is set for Dec. 14.

But before the opening the Batavia-based company will go before the Washington City Council to request a liquor license. ALDI filled a request in November for a Class C license to sell beer and wine.

If approved by the Washington City Council, the number of Class C licenses in the city would go from three to four. The council held a first reading on the license request at is meeting Dec. 3.

The council will hold a special meeting Dec. 10 prior to its monthly committee-of-the-whole meeting to hold a second reading and a vote on the license.

City Administrator Tim Gleason said he did not see a problem with the council approving the license. "The approval should be in-time on the license for their opening on the 14th,"Gleason added.

ALDI is planning on hosting its Grand Opening at 9 a.m. Dec. 14. When ground was broken on the new store in September, the estimated time for the store to open was early spring, according to ALDI officials.

However, weather and construction schedules cooperated in bringing the opening sooner. ALDI filed a building permit with the city of Washington for its new store Sept. 24 at McClugage Road and Freedom Parkway near the Menards.

Construction workers started with site work the next day. Previously, ALDI Dwight Division Vice President Heather Moore said the projected opening will be the spring. She added they are still assessing how many employees will be needed to staff the Washington store. ALDI has five stores in the Peoria area. Moore said coming to

Washington was part of the stores recent location changes. ALDI would not disclose how much the construction of the new store cost.